The metro
I tried to put myself in the shoes of men who didn't wear proper shoes, and ... I really couldn't. I can't fathom how careless men are when it comes to selecting footwear. Some say ignorance is bliss, but in this case I beg to differ. Guys, feet are your best friends. So, if you want to go places, take care of them.
And I don't mean buying shoes you can walk in. Sure, sometimes a cheap pair of sneakers can feel comfortable, but you can do better.
To my great annoyance, it seems that about 80 per cent of Hong Kong men are wearing sneakers. Sneakers are great, and the well designed ones are really hot (on the right men). But you can't wear them everywhere. If you still don't get it, well, ask mum what dressing decently means.
The right shoes helped me get a cab in Barcelona. Those of you who have been to the Catalan capital know that you can almost never get a cab there. My beautiful Paul Smith beige brogue leather loafers wrapped around my feet like a blanket, and they were also easy on the eye. This season, the brand has another pair, called Parnu (below), with similar fine medallion brogue perforations, except they are dark brown and shoe-laced, which makes them better for dressier occasions but still great for chasing after cabs because of the rubber soles.
For something to wear while having brunch in SoHo, the Fiorito loafers with the brand's signature multi-stripe webbing made with T Moro Castoro leather are great, because one, you're likely to be too hungover to manage shoe laces and two, these shoes are heaven to wear and to look at.
I had a complaint from one reader saying he didn't see anything wrong with wearing black leather shoes with jeans (I said something about it being as cool as Rick Astley singing Never Gonna Give You Up). OK, I'll acquiesce, only if they are short boots, like ones from Louis Vuitton this season (above). But I wouldn't recommend black shoes with perforations - they always remind me of snotty schoolboys.
Summer is sandal time, and a classic black leather pair from LV would make you look hotter than ever - if you have long, well-shaped legs. Fancy bare-toed with thin soles is not for chunky legs, they just accentuate the things they shouldn't. If you have beautiful feet, bare all with LV's white sandals. But that's only for men who get a pedicure frequently.
White shoes that cover the toes, however, are much easier to handle, and are a must for summer. Check out agnes b.'s spring/summer collection: grey cotton Prince of Wales suit (with cream silk cotton and cashmere V-neck sweater underneath) and agnes b. Pataugas leather shoes (left).
Shopping List
agnes b.
IFC Mall, tel: 2805 0678
Paul Smith
The Landmark, Central, tel: 2523 5868
Louis Vuitton
The Landmark, Central, tel: 2736 6100
